“That sounds like a good idea,” Danika returns.“Why don’t you go scurry off?We’re done pretending to be your friends.”
Laurel blinks hard.She looks to me to defend her.“Danika, c’mon,” I placate, trying to get her to retract her claws.
“Sadie, it’s time.She needs to find her own friends,” Danika says, and I don’t know how to get out of this situation, so I look at the ground instead.
“I get it.I know exactly who you are, Sadie Prescott.Phony bitch.”
Someone rises to their feet behind me.Two someones.I watch Laurel’s eyes take them both in before she turns and stomps back inside.
“I don’t like her,” Collin declares.“She’s not nice.”
Danika laughs, and I try not to as I say, “That was horrible.”But the laugh still sneaks through.I turn to meet Jonathan’s dark gaze as he watches her disappear in the crowd.He glances at me, but not for long enough.
Hollering erupts inside.Deep, bellowing voices rise above the rest.
“Reeves!You better get in here,” a guy yells from the patio.
I step closer to Jonathan.“Please don’t.You know whatever it is, it isn’t good.”
Jonathan glances at Collin.He knows Collin’s with him, whatever he decides.
“Reeves!Players from Greenfield are here.Including the guy who took Jackson down.We need you, man.”
Jonathan steps past me and heads inside.Collin sighs.“Here we go again.”He looks back at me when I don’t move.“You coming?”
“You know I can’t watch.”
Danika follows after Oren, who looks excited to join in.
I lower onto the Adirondack chair and hug my knees to my chest, waiting for the fight to break out.And the sirens to follow.Just another weekend night in Hollis.
Chapter Two
Istart walking to my car at the soundof the aggressive hollers, high-pitched shrieking and glass breaking.Just hearing the violence sets my nerves on edge.I flinch at every loud noise.I want to shrink in on myself and disappear.I’m not made for conflict.
A cherry-red glow slows my pace.
Jaz is lying on her hood against her windshield, smoking.She parts her red lips to let the smoke drift out in a lazy haze.
“Where’s Darcy?”I ask her, knowing one can’t be far from the other.
“Peeing.”
“Here!”I hear within the dark of the trees.The rustling of leaves and snap of branches follow as she fumbles up the slight incline.“Where ya going, Sadie?”
“There’s a fight,” I answer just as a girl’s cry chases us down the driveway.
“Dumbass boys.Can’t play nice.”Jaz slips off the hood of the car with grace and stomps the light out of the cigarette.“Guess that’s it then, huh?Going anywhere else?”
“Not planning on it.”
The girls enter the car and have it running in a matter of seconds.Jaz rolls down her window.“Text us if you do.Get out soon.”
She eases out of the driveway and races away.
I unlock my car door and enter in time to hear, “Cops are coming!”The faint whir of sirens drifts through the trees.
Those three words are like a fire alarm.The house explodes with movement.People rush out of every door and even a few windows, scrambling to reach a vehicle.Any vehicle.
